Milo McCabe steps onto the stage as Troy Hawke with the swagger of an assured performer. Over the next fifty or so minutes the comedian proves that both he and his creation are us unflappable as the show’s title suggests, putting in a very entertaining performance as he explores some of the foibles of modern life from a uniquely unusual perspective.
A funny and thoughtful act which is well worth seeing.
Product of an Errol Flynn-obsessed mother with a Fritzl-esque approach to homeschooling, Hawke spends the show describing his experiences of the world after escaping from educational captivity. This thoroughly decent chap-out-of-time approaches some of the more mundane aspects of modern life with the charm and naively cheerful optimism of an aristocratic thirties dandy.
Facebook comment sections become arenas of epic human drama, Wetherspoons a haven of wonder, and personal insults the means to create meaningful friendships. When it works, and it often does, the laughs are plentiful – provoked by keen observations and the occasional, hilariously disturbing, bible passage. When it doesn’t, and this isn’t very often, it is because the central idea behind the act feels like it’s wearing a bit thin – a good character conceit stretched a little too far.
Away from the scripted material sporadic audience interjections, prompted or not, provide further highlights providing interactions which speak to McCabe’s quick wit and talent. They also give the comedian the opportunity to use that device which is so popular amongst performers at Edinburgh, the comedy aggressive Scottish accent. It’s not original but to be fair McCabe’s is better than average and he maintains momentum throughout with no small amount of charisma and a wiggle of the hips which has more than a little Rik Mayall about it.
The ending provides a slightly jarring change of pace as McCabe delivers a very worthy yet somewhat forced political warning, but it doesn’t detract too much from what is otherwise a funny and thoughtful act which is well worth seeing.
